Zaid sacking: Umno loses opposition gains

The sacking of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim from Umno is a welcome by the opposition party with an open arm. Immediately after learning that Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has been sacked, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he welcome him to join PKR.Datuk Zaid Ibrahim talking to Anwar at recent PKR National Congress

Despite admitting that he spoke to Zaid after the latter tendered his resignation as a minister, Anwar said he would give Zaid the space and time to reflect instead of pushing him to join the party.

“He is an asset to the nation.

“This is his choice. We are comfortable with him. We have seen him firmly defending human rights.

“He is committed to his principle against the draconian law,” said Anwar referring to Zaid’s stand against the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Zaid has been an irritating figure among the ultra-conservatives in Umno. Datuk Shahrir Samad yesterday said certain people in Umno Supreme Council were rather uneasy when Datuk Zaid was appointed senator then offered the job as de-facto Law Minister.

Datuk Seri Rais Yatim when a step further by saying Zaid sacking should be a lesson to other Umno members not to repeat the same mistakes.